PENCILvania: A Handmade Project Bringing Creativity Back to Paper

• Asia Tabb
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Asia Tabb is the Host and Producer for WITF’s The Spark.
  
  She began her start in radio when she joined legendary radio/ host producer, Doc Christian. She worked closely with Doc for her role on “The Gospel Express, on WHOV 88.1 FM and was a host for “Unrestricted Praise” at Praise FM.
  
  Previously she was an anchor in Shreveport, Louisiana at KTAL/KMSS. Asia also worked as a Multi-Media Journalist at WHP-TV here in Harrisburg, PA.
  
  Asia got her break into news at KTVO in Ottumwa, Ia. While the 2020 caucuses were gearing up. Asia followed many candidates through their campaign trail from Senator Cory Booker, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
  
  Asia was born and raised in Norfolk, Va. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2018 with a major in Communications.
  
  Asia is extremely friendly so don’t be afraid to say hi if you see her out and about.

aired; July 31, 2026

On The Spark, we spoke with Allan Dransfield, also known as “The Pencil Guy,” about PENCILvania, a handmade art project inspired by a desire to step away from the digital world and return to hands-on creativity. The project transforms recycled materials into one-of-a-kind pencil boxes and handmade pencils, encouraging people to slow down, create, and reconnect with the simple experience of making something by hand.

Dransfield shared the story behind PENCILvania and the journey that eventually brought the project to Pennsylvania—and to WITF. The conversation explored how mindfulness, play, and creativity can offer an alternative to an increasingly screen-driven world, while celebrating the value of handmade objects and the process of creating them.

Listen to the podcast to hear the conversation.